Have you noticed that your toilet is taking longer to refill after flushing? This is a frequent toilet predicament with several possible causes. Fortunately, none of them are serious concerns or expensive to correct. Follow this guide to get your slow toilet working efficiently again.
How to Repair a Slow-Filling Toilet
Understanding why your toilet is slow to fill is your first step toward fixing it. Consider these potential reasons and the best way to handle each one.
Partially Closed Water Supply Valve
Take a peek behind the toilet for the water supply hose attached to the wall. You’ll notice a valve connecting to it, which helps you to close off the water when repairs or full replacement of the tank is needed. Check this valve to make sure it’s completely open.
Trouble with the Fill Valve or Tube
The fill valve, which can be found attached to the top of a vertical tube-shaped part in the toilet tank, regulates the water flow into the tank. A toilet fill valve may break down, clog or slip out of alignment after years of use, stopping the tank from filling properly. Follow these instructions to adjust, clear out or fix the fill valve:
- Locate the fill valve: Remove the toilet tank lid and find the fill valve inside. It’s commonly mounted on the left side with a tailpiece extending through the bottom of the tank and connecting to the supply tube and shut-off valve.
- Adjust the fill valve: Make sure the fill valve is secure and evenly fastened to the tube. Adjust the fill valve height if required by twisting the adjustment knob (common to newer toilets) or find a flathead screwdriver and loosen the adjustment screw (required for older toilets). After that, check that the water level is approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
- Clean the fill valve: To get rid of mineral buildup and other debris from the valve, first shut off the water in the rear of the toilet and take off the fill cap. Right after that, slowly turn the water back on, cupping your hand over the valve to prevent from being sprayed by the water. Let some water flow for several seconds to flush out debris. Next, scrub away mineral buildup off the fill cap. If you observe cracks or significant wear and tear, replace the valve.
- Clean the valve tube: Debris lodged in the valve tube could also be to blame. Shut off the water supply and take off the valve hardware. Then, run a slim wire or bottle brush into the tube. Turn back on the water supply slightly to flush away the leftover residue. Reconnect the valve hardware and confirm if the toilet fills properly.
Waterlogged Float Ball
The float ball in older toilet models rises with the water level, shutting the fill valve whenever the tank is full. If the float ball is damaged or punctured and fills with water, it prevents the tank from filling correctly.
Remove the tank lid and peek inside. A partially sunken float ball could be waterlogged. Before running out to buy a new ball, examine the float arm it’s attached to. If the arm is pointed too low in the tank, bend it up somewhat to elevate the ball’s height.
If this doesn’t work, you may be able to install a new float ball. Just be aware that this is old toilet technology, so it might possibly be better to upgrade the existing tank components or replace the toilet entirely.
Plugged Plumbing Vent
Your home plumbing system uses vents that enable air to enter the pipes. If they end up clogged, stress may build throughout the pipes, stopping the water from flowing. This can, in turn, make your toilet fill slowly or even cause the bowl to overrun.
You should grab a ladder and climb up on the roof to check for clogged plumbing vents. Look for long, vertical PVC pipes poking up from the tiles. Get rid of any animal nests, deep snow or other obstructions you notice to help your plumbing work as intended.
Leaky or Blocked Pipe
If you can’t find anything wrong with the water supply valve, fill valve and tube, float ball or plumbing vents, the slow toilet dilemma could stem from your supply pipes. A problem with the water line itself could prevent your toilet tank from filling properly. It’s safest to hire a licensed plumber to tackle these issues.
Schedule Toilet Repair with Strogen's Service Experts
Is your toilet still not working right? Turn to Strogen's Service Experts for dependable toilet repair in Rochester. We can pinpoint the reason why your toilet is slow to fill and perform the most appropriate repair. If the fixture has reached the end of its average life span, our specialists can suggest high-efficiency toilet replacement in Rochester. We’ll help you pick out the replacement model and install it on your behalf. Relax knowing that every job we perform is protected by a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To schedule a visit from us, please call Strogen's Service Experts today.